🔗 Share this article

The United States has enforced penalties on a network of four people and four firms accused of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a militia force in Sudan which the US alleges of committing genocide.

Network Composition

Disclosing the sanctions on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have reportedly travelled to Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction accused of terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Revelation of Role

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, following an report which disclosed that hundreds of retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an revelation that led to an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their extensive battlefield experience gleaned from decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have been accused of teaching child soldiers, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary remarked that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but commented that "regrettably, war operates that way".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer located in the UAE. The government alleged he played a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities connected to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated accused of wire transfers connected to Duque and his businesses.

"Washington reiterates its demand for external actors to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the Treasury said in a statement.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "major" development, stating that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, Bogotá has enacted a law ratifying the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, seeking to reduce years of participation by its nationals in foreign conflicts and change domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, stating that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.